Many people rely on both blogs and websites to earn income. Which one wins in the blog vs website for making money debate? Does each format excel, or does everything depend on goals and interests?
Before you start a blog or a website, it’s good to know how much you can earn with these options.
Regarding blogs versus websites for making money, blogs are a better option if you like to invest less initially while having a more indirect approach to sales. Websites require higher investments, but they also have a higher earning potential. It’s all about the risk you’re willing to take and how you plan on making money.
Blog vs website for making money: Quick comparison
| Blog | Website | |
| Monetization options | – Affiliate marketing, ads, product sales, services, online courses, webinars, podcasting, dropshipping… | – Subscription content, affiliate marketing, influencer marketing, ads, sponsored posts, ebooks, email marketing… |
| Potential income | – $48,000/year average (can vary: from a few hundred up to six figures for top blogs) | – $1,000/month on average (varies widely based on niche and traffic) |
| Starting investments | – $300 initially, plus $1,000–$15,000/year for growth | – $2,000–$75,000 (can scale depending on business needs and marketing) |
| Growth opportunities | – Often needs expansion into other content or services to scale | – Generally more flexible and can grow with multiple revenue streams |
However, blogs and websites can be used together to build a recognizable brand and sell products or services.
Here’s what you need to know about blogs vs websites for making money.
Monetization Options
Whether you’re brand-new to blogging or looking for a fresh perspective, there are many ways a blogging platform can make money. You can build a loyal audience by offering subscription-based content, leveraging affiliate links, or exploring entirely new revenue streams.
By matching the right monetization methods to your readers’ view and interests, you’ll set the stage for steady income growth. Below, we’ll dive into some of the most popular—and effective—options available in 2025.
Well-established blogs can also sell online courses, sell space for ads, or sell space for contributors. You can also make ebooks or write sponsored posts. Blogs include many options like affiliate marketing, sponsored posts, Google Adsense, selling services and products, ad space, online courses, and more.
Websites offer more flexibility regarding monetization, and you can do anything you want with a site.
How Much Money Do They Make?
Around 20–30% of blogs earn consistent money, though many remain hobbies. Blogger income varies widely: some make only pocket change, while others surpass $50,000 a year. Surveys sometimes place the average near $40,000–$50,000, but there’s no universally guaranteed minimum or maximum at all.
Still, many top-earning blogs do not publicly reveal their exact profits.
Websites typically need around 10,000 unique visitors per month to begin earning about $500 to $1,000 monthly. It can often take 1 to 3 years to reach this level of traffic.
Websites can potentially earn higher amounts through multiple revenue streams, but many fail to grow or generate sustainable income.
Initial Investments
Before you decide whether a blog or website is right for you, it’s important to understand the costs involved. You could make a purchase of specialized tools or premium themes, or pay next to nothing if you stick to a free blogging platform to make money.
Most beginners opt for WordPress since it offers flexible access to various monetization methods —though it’s not a shortcut to overnight success. If you do it on your own using a website builder, you can cut down on costs.
On average, setting up a blog can run about $300 (covering domain, hosting, and basic design), while a fully customized website can cost anywhere from $2,000 to $75,000, depending on complexity and professional development needs. Ultimately, it’s about weighing your goals and budget to see which option best fits your long-term plan.
Scaling your Income
Scaling a blog is pretty linear, so you don’t have to do anything differently or get outside your comfort zone.
- If you’re a couple looking to make money online or a family aiming to diversify your income, scaling up can feel both exciting and challenging. A blog often grows by consistently uploading original content, nurturing influencer connections, and using a straightforward strategy to promote content—all manageable by one or two people. You might earn a commission from affiliate links or ads without needing a large team.
- On the other hand, a website can open doors to bigger revenue streams but may involve inventory management, production, or shipping if you sell physical products. For many business owners, collaborating with others and investing in multiple processes is key to capturing these larger opportunities. Whichever route you choose, staying true to your vision and focusing on scalable methods will help you build sustainable success in 2025 and beyond.
Blog vs Website for Making Money: Which Works Best for You?
We trust this guide has given you a simple way to understand how a blog or a website can both work as a profitable channel in 2025. Whether you focus on a small niche page or aim for the biggest audience ever, remember that every project is an example of your unique vision.
If you stay consistent and adaptable, each platform can become a solid income source. Now, let’s wrap up with some final thoughts on which option best suits your goals and lifestyle.
